Catechism of the Catholic Church

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The Profession of Faith

us. 411 The Church, following the apostles, teaches that Christ died for all men without exception: “There is not, never has been, and never will be a single human being for whom Christ did not suffer.” 412 III. C hrist O ffered H imself to H is F ather for O ur S ins

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Christ’s whole life is an offering to the Father

606 The Son of God, who came down “from heaven, not to do [his] own will, but the will of him who sent [him],” 413 said on coming into the world, “Lo, I have come to do your will, O God.” “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” 414 From the first moment of his Incarnation the Son embraces the Father’s plan of divine salva tion in his redemptive mission: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.” 415 The sacrifice of Jesus “for the sins of the whole world” 416 expresses his loving commun ion with the Father. “The Father loves me, because I lay down my life,” said the Lord, “[for] I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.” 417 607 The desire to embrace his Father’s plan of redeeming love inspired Jesus’ whole life, 418 for his redemptive passion was the very reason for his Incarnation. And so he asked, “And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, for this purpose I have come to this hour.” 419 And again, “Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?” 420 From the cross, just before “It is finished,” he said, “I thirst.” 421

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“The Lamb who takes away the sin of the world”

608 After agreeing to baptize him along with the sinners, John the Baptist looked at Jesus and pointed him out as the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” 422 By doing so, he

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411 Mt 20:28; cf. Rom 5:18-19. 412 Council of Quiercy (853): DS 624; cf. 2 Cor 5:15; 1 Jn 2:2. 413 Jn 6:38. 414 Heb 10:5-10.

415 Jn 4:34. 416 1 Jn 2:2. 417 Jn 10:17; 14:31. 418 Cf. Lk 12:50; 22:15; Mt 16:21-23. 419 Jn 12:27. 420 Jn 18:11. 421 Jn 19:30; 19:28. 422 Jn 1:29; cf. Lk 3:21; Mt 3:14-15; Jn 1:36.